Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology

The Division of Fruits and Horticultural Technology was created in 1970 with the bifurcation of the then Division of Horticulture, which was constituted in 1956. Till date, the Division is a premier centre of research and post-graduate education. The major activity of the Division is to conduct research to improve production, productivity and quality of different fruit crops. During the last three decades, the Division has significantly contributed through research for the advancement of horticulture by ushering in the frontiers of knowledge in fruit crops and providing practical solutions to the problems confronting fruit industry. The research activities are undertaken with the following broad objective:

Hybridization and evaluation in mango, citrus , grape guava and papaya for enhanced yield, better quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and attributes suited for industry and export.

Augmentation, maintenance and evaluation of germplasm in mango, grape, citrus, guava and papaya for breeding and evolving novel types.

To device techniques on molecular characterization, improvement and in vitro propagation of fruit crops,

Popularizing the use of biofertilizers for substituting inorganic sources and to improve fruit quality in mango and citrus.

Improving fruit quality in grape and citrus with the application of macro- and micro-nutrients for sustainable production.

Combating salinity problems in mango and citrus production through collection, evaluation and identification of different rootstock genotypes.

To understand the causes for national problem in mango viz., malformation and to device suitable techniques to minimize this incidence.

Transfer of technology through regular field demonstrations, on the spot field visits and preparation of extension leaflets/folders for the benefit of the fruit growers.

Besides above, there is a strong emphasis on human resource development for horticultural research through post-graduate teaching and organizing training programmes in frontline areas in production, breeding and molecular research on fruit crops.